PTC- University of Applied Sciences

What PTC- University of Applied Sciences does

PTC - University of Applied Sciences is a private educational foundation (Stichting Polytechnic College Suriname) founded on 21 February 1997 and headquartered at Slangenhoutstraat 99a in Paramaribo, Suriname. The institution operates as a non-profit foundation governed by a nine-member board drawn from the Ministries of Education, Public Works, Agriculture, and Natural Resources, alongside business and labor associations (ASFA, VSB, KKF, Ravaksur, AdekUS), with the explicit mandate of producing market-oriented, technically qualified personnel for Suriname's socio-economic development.

The product portfolio comprises 11 Bachelor programs (Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, ICT, Food Technology, Higher Laboratory Education, Infrastructure, Agronomy, Agribusiness Management, Animal Production & Health Technology, Hydrology, Real Estate & Brokerage, and Hospitality Management) and two Master programs (MBA in Innovation & Technology and a fully online Master ICT in Data Science delivered in partnership with India's Praxis Business School). Programs are delivered through three modalities — physical (in-person evening classes 18:00–21:00 across four Paramaribo locations including the headquarters, A.R. Leeuwinschool, Havo III, and NATIN Mottonshoop), distance learning (Zoom/Teams/Google Classroom with mandatory practicals), and modular (per-module certificates). The ICT, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Food Technology, HLO, and MBA programs hold NOVA accreditation; ICT was the first program in Suriname to receive it in 2019. Ancillary operations include the Research and Innovation Lab (RIL) offering 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC prototyping, and robotics; the Kennis & Innovatie Instituut (KII) for applied research; and IADC-certified Oil & Gas training delivered through a PetroEd partnership with 1,000 free community licenses plus paid RigPass certification.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition fees (Bachelor programs payable in up to 11 monthly installments after an upfront registration fee; Master programs payable in 24 installments) and registration fees, supplemented by Oil & Gas professional training, modular course certificates, Mastercourse Data Science short modules, and event space rental. The go-to-market mix combines organic social (Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram), website and email newsletter outreach, strategic partner referrals (PetroEd, Praxis, Saxion, Huawei, TELESUR, ministry agreements), and information sessions/hackathons (e.g., AgriTech Hack-O-Topia 2023). Primary customer segments are working adults seeking applied higher education, government ministry employees requiring technical upskilling, and Oil & Gas workforce candidates pursuing IADC certifications.

Name

PTC- University of Applied Sciences

Legal name

Stichting Polytechnic College Suriname

Website

https://ptc.edu.sr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

PTC is a Surinamese foundation established in 1997 operating as a University of Applied Sciences, delivering 11 Bachelor and 2 Master programs in technical and applied sciences. It serves working adults, government ministry employees, and oil & gas workforce candidates in Suriname through physical, distance, and modular education modalities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Vocational Education (University of Applied Sciences)

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical Universities with Specialized Engineering Domains (EDAHAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cooperative Education (Co-op) Technical Universities (EDAHAEAF), Technical Community Colleges (Applied/CTE-Focused) (EDAHADAD)

Keywords

• Higher vocational education
• Applied sciences programs
• Technical bachelor programs
• Engineering higher education
• Professional certification training

Headquarters

HQ city

Paramaribo

HQ country

Suriname

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Registration Fees: PTC generates revenue primarily through tuition fees (collegegeld) and registration fees (inschrijfgeld). For Bachelor programs, registration fee is paid in full upfront while tuition can be paid in up to 11 consecutive installments. Master programs charge only tuition, payable in 24 installments.
2. Professional and Oil & Gas Training: PTC offers specialized short courses and masterclasses, including PetroEd's IADC-certified Oil & Gas courses (RigPass, Basic Principles of Petroleum, Oilwell Drilling, Introduction to Well Control). PetroEd provided 1,000 free licenses to the Surinamese community for these courses.
3. Event Space Rental: PTC rents out its event space (Zaal) to external parties for conferences, workshops, and corporate events, generating additional non-educational revenue.
4. Master Data Science Online Program: A 2-year fully online Master ICT program in Data Science, delivered in partnership with Praxis Business School (India). PTC handles program administration, student admissions, and local placement, while Praxis delivers the curriculum and exams online.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

PTC - University of Applied Sciences delivers market-oriented higher vocational/applied sciences education in Suriname, offering 11 bachelor programs and 2 master programs across technical and natural-technical disciplines including engineering, ICT, agriculture, food technology, infrastructure, hydrology, and real estate. The institution supplements its degree programs with professional certification training (notably IADC-certified Oil & Gas courses via PetroEd), three flexible delivery modalities (physical, distance, modular), and applied research services through its Research and Innovation Lab (RIL).

Product overview

PTC - Polytechnic College Suriname operates as a University of Applied Sciences offering a portfolio of 11 Bachelor programs and 2 Master programs. The Bachelor programs span technical disciplines including Werktuigbouwkunde (Mechanical Engineering), Elektrotechniek (Electrical Engineering), ICT, Food Technology, Hoger Laboratorium Onderwijs, Infrastructuur, Agronomie, Agribusiness Management, Animal Production & Health Technology (APHT), Hydrologie, and Vastgoed en Makelaardij. The Master offerings include an MBA in Innovation & Technology and an ICT in Data Science program delivered online in partnership with India's Praxis Business School. The institution provides three education delivery formats: Fysiek Onderwijs (physical with virtual components), Afstandsonderwijs (distance education using Zoom, Teams, and Google Classroom), and Modulair Onderwijs (modular enrollment). A key facility is the Research and Innovation Lab (RIL), offering digital fabrication and STEM/robotics services. Professional training includes Oil & Gas courses via PetroEd with IADC certifications. Several programs hold NOVA accreditation, and the institution maintains National Quality Awards recognition.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Werktuigbouwkunde) A 4-year accredited bachelor program in mechanical engineering focusing on practical and competency-based education for students in Suriname.
• Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (Elektrotechniek) A 4-year accredited bachelor program in electrical engineering.
• Bachelor of Information & Communication Technology (ICT) A 4-year NOVA-accredited bachelor program in Information and Communication Technology with specializations including Data Science, with planned additions in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence.
• Bachelor in Food Technology A 5-year accredited bachelor program in food technology focusing on food processing and manufacturing practices.
• Bachelor in Higher Laboratory Education (Hoger Laboratorium Onderwijs) A 5-year accredited bachelor program in higher laboratory education with specializations in chemical laboratory research.
• Bachelor in Agronomy (Agronomie) A 4-year bachelor program in agronomy.
• Bachelor in Agribusiness Management A 4-year bachelor program in agribusiness management.
• Bachelor in Animal Production & Health Technology (APHT) A 3-year bachelor program focused on animal production and health technology.
• Bachelor in Hydrology (Hydrologie) A 4-year bachelor program in hydrology, offered in English as an exception to PTC's primarily Dutch-language instruction.
• Bachelor in Infrastructure (Infrastructuur) A 4-year bachelor program in infrastructure with specializations including Construction (Bouwkunde).
• Bachelor in Real Estate & Brokerage (Vastgoed en Makelaardij) A 4-year bachelor program in real estate and brokerage.
• Bachelor in Hospitality Management A bachelor program in hospitality management.
• MBA in Innovation & Technology An accredited Master of Business Administration program focused on Innovation and Technology, designed for holders of HBO or scientific Bachelor degrees.
• Master ICT in Data Science A 2-year fully online Master program in ICT specializing in Data Science, delivered in partnership with Praxis Business School Foundation from India, targeting Surinamese ICT professionals seeking master's-level qualifications without leaving the country.
• Modular Education (Modulair Onderwijs) A third teaching modality enabling enrollment for individual modules of PTC programs with certificates awarded upon successful completion, available in both physical and distance formats; allows budget-conscious, self-paced learning paths.
• Oil & Gas Training Courses (PetroEd Partnership) Online Oil & Gas training courses delivered in partnership with PetroEd, including IADC-certified courses such as Basic Principles of Petroleum, Oilwell Drilling, and Introduction to Well Control, with IADC RigPass certification available; serves Surinamese citizens seeking entry or advancement in the offshore oil and gas sector.
• Research and Innovation Lab (RIL) Services A hybrid learning environment combining education, research, and industry, providing digital fabrication, hands-on STEM, and robotics services including 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC prototyping, vinyl cutting, and heat press for students and industry clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• First three LVV ministry employees graduated from APHT program in October 2022, addressing a long-standing shortage of Animal Health Assistants in Suriname's Ministry of Agriculture.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.

• TELESURminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 November 2023TELESUR invited PTC's ICT and Electro students for a company visit in November 2023, providing students with practical industry exposure and strengthening industry-academia ties. This collaboration supports PTC's practical, market-oriented educational approach.
• Huawei (Seeds for the Future Program)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 October 2023PTC ICT students participated in Huawei's Seeds for the Future program, with eight students traveling to Costa Rica for the program in 2023. Two top-performing students (Shafier Abdoelaziz and Winners Esan) subsequently participated in Huawei's integration week in Panama in January 2023. The program develops local ICT talent and facilitates cross-cultural exchange.
• Texas Space Technology Applications and Research (T STAR)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2023T STAR (USA-based) expressed intent to collaborate with PTC on developing a Mechatronics program. T STAR brings expertise in space technology applications, which would complement PTC's engineering and technology portfolio. The partnership was in preparation stage as of July 2023.
• PetroEd (USA)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2022Partnership to offer PetroEd's IADC-certified Oil & Gas training courses through PTC in Suriname. PetroEd provided 1,000 free course licenses to the Surinamese community covering Basic Principles of Petroleum, Oilwell Drilling, and Introduction to Well Control. Additional paid courses include IADC RigPass certification. 500+ participants registered between November 2022 and April 2023. PTC handles local promotion and student registration.
• Praxis Business School Foundation (India)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 August 2022Signed MoA on August 23, 2022 to design and deliver a 2-year fully online Master ICT program in Data Science for Suriname. Praxis (India's #1 Post Graduate Data Science Program per Analytics India Magazine Survey 2021) provides curriculum design, faculty appointments, online instruction, and exam administration. PTC handles local program office, student admissions, and placement. Program launched January 2023 with 11 initial students.
• U.S. Embassy SurinameminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 August 2022The U.S. Embassy in Suriname, under Ambassador Robert J. Faucher, facilitated NASA/JPL Space Systems Engineer Nagin Cox's visit to PTC in August 2022 to promote STEM education and female roles in science and technology. The embassy also supports the Huawei Seeds for the Future program and seeks to expand STEM student and faculty exchanges between the U.S. and Suriname.
• Wegenautoriteit Suriname (WA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2022Cooperation agreement signed April 14, 2022 enabling PTC students to conduct internship research on real practical problems at Wegenautoriteit. Students gain industry experience while WA benefits from research insights on infrastructure challenges. Described by WA director as a 'win-win situation'.
• In De KiemminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2022Agricultural facilitating company with a history of hosting PTC Agronomy students for internships, field trips, and donations. April 2022 cooperation agreement focused on creating awareness about the agricultural sector, improving cultivation quality and production, and providing joint research project opportunities for PTC students (e.g., soil research, sustainable vegetable practices, school gardens).
• Hogeschool Saxion (Netherlands)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Multi-year cooperation agreement signed in 2019 for ongoing academic collaboration. Manifested in the International Building Challenge 2023, where PTC and Saxion students collaborated on redesigning the SOSIS building in Paramaribo. The partnership supports internationalization, student exchange, and joint educational projects aligned with PTC's positioning as University of Applied Sciences.
• Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (LVV)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 August 2017Agreement signed August 11, 2017 for PTC to provide the Bachelor program in Animal Production & Health Technology (APHT) to LVV staff. 11 LVV employees and 8 private individuals enrolled. First three LVV employees graduated in October 2022, addressing a long-standing shortage of Animal Health Assistants in Suriname's agricultural sector.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• INHolland University of Applied Sciences: Large Dutch University of Applied Sciences with a multi-campus applied-education model. Comparable in offering multiple delivery modalities (full-time, part-time, modular) and serving diverse student populations through industry-anchored programs.
• NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences: Large Dutch University of Applied Sciences with international campuses and a comparable applied/professional Bachelor and Master portfolio, including strong industry partnerships. Useful benchmark for UAS operating model at greater scale.
• Polytechnic University of the Philippines: Large state polytechnic offering vocationally oriented technical and professional programs at scale. Comparable institutional form (polytechnic/applied sciences, government-aligned governance) but in a vastly larger domestic market.
• University of the West Indies: Regional incumbent tertiary provider across the Caribbean. While research-university oriented and broader in scope, UWI is the most relevant Caribbean comparator for student mobility, accreditation frameworks, and regional workforce development.

Emerging players

• Zuyd University of Applied Sciences: Mid-sized Dutch University of Applied Sciences with applied Bachelor/Master programs across technology, health, and business. Similar size profile and UAS mission as PTC, useful for benchmarking operating-model efficiency.
• Howest University of Applied Sciences: Belgian University of Applied Sciences of similar size and applied-sciences orientation. Comparable in offering practice-based Bachelor/Master programs with strong industry integration, though operating at a much larger scale and in a more mature market.

Direct peers

• Anton de Kom University of Suriname: The other major higher-education institution in Suriname; AdekUS is even represented on PTC's board. Both serve Suriname's small tertiary market with overlapping student pools, making it the closest direct comparator despite AdekUS's research-university orientation.
• Hogeschool Saxion: Dutch University of Applied Sciences with which PTC signed a multi-year cooperation agreement in 2019. Comparable UAS model — applied, professionally oriented Bachelor/Master programs — and an active partner for student exchange and joint projects (e.g., International Building Challenge 2023).
• Praxis Business School: Indian business school that delivers PTC's fully online Master ICT Data Science program. Comparable in delivering career-focused postgraduate education for working professionals, and a structural partner rather than competitor.

Others

• PetroEd: USA-based Oil & Gas e-learning provider that partners with PTC to deliver IADC-certified courses in Suriname. Not a competing institution but a key ecosystem partner — comparable in delivering internationally certified technical training, useful for understanding PTC's adjacent content supply.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCaXm04lFE15sPZmIMzs9cmw
• Facebookfacebook.com/PTC-Stichting-Polytechnic-College-Suriname-355323371276964
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/polytechnic-college-ptc-suriname
• Instagraminstagram.com/polytechniccollegesuriname

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PTC- University of Applied Sciences